One of the bravest and funniest

It was like a punch in the stomach when I got the text message today, “Joan Rivers just died.” Oh no! Not Joan. She was one of those people who was so full of life, you thought she’d live forever. The news was devastating. We knew Joan; we worked with her. She was part of the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (LAJFF) history.

Back in 2008, Joan Rivers was one of our first honorees. We were showing a film called “Making Trouble,” the story of six of the greatest female comic performers of the last century, including Joan. Other film festivals were bringing in all kinds of female comediennes to speak at their screenings, but I wanted Joan Rivers – the source. I approached a partner organization, the MorningStar Commission, a division of Hadassah whose focus was the portrayal of the strength and diversity of Jewish women in television and media. I suggested we honor Joan Rivers with the “Woman of Inspiration” Award.

The first question was “Why Joan Rivers?” While some were offended by her humor, I saw Joan as a role model. I knew her story — her tragedies, her challenges and her perseverance. I admired her guts. She was a pioneer who opened the door for countless female comediennes… for women in general. In our society, the women, like Joan, who break down barriers are those who ignore limits. Joan went beyond no limits.

And so we honored the legendary comedienne who graciously accepted the L.A. Jewish Film Festival’s “Pioneer in Entertainment” award for her breakthrough work as a female Jewish “woman of inspiration.” 

I met with Joan twice during this time. I was nervous, not wanting to appear overzealous. But off-screen, Joan Rivers was nothing like the persona of the “crass-say-what-everyone-else-is-thinking” comedienne. She was professional, humble, gracious and delightful. She immediately felt like kin. She thanked me and our team for the honor and reiterated that she didn’t understand why we were presenting it — surely there was another woman more worthy. With that, she walked onstage, modestly accepted her award and then dazzled the audience with 30 minutes of her very best jokes. 

Joan Rivers was worthy. She had no idea the impact she had on me and innumerable others. She continued doing engagements almost up to the end. The quote by 19^th-century writer, Albert Pike says it: “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” 

Blessings to you, Joan Rivers, one of the bravest and funniest. You and your humor will remain with us in our hearts.